So, just looking at the seasons 06/07 onward, who are the 7 best players (forwards and defence) in the NHL?

Hmm, nice topic, and I can answer a few off the top of my head.

#1 is Crosby, hands down, no question, do not pass GO, do not collect $200, go directly to Sid the Kid.

#2 is Ovechkin, easy. No, he hasn't been Sid's equal or better the last year and a half . . . but he is/was the most dominant scorer ever since he's been in the league (although that looks to be changing, credit must be given).

#3 and #4 is Daniel and Henrick Sedin. Again, easily the most consistent point producers in the league, and have been utterly dominant as a duo, and even when one is out, have still been great.

Now we get into trouble . . . because I am really trying to hard to think of a dominant defenceman I can add to here, but am having trouble doing so. And there are a bunch of forwards I can lump in this next 5-7 group, and some have a smaller sample size due to their age and time in the league. But, you did say the "best players", not who had the best seasons cumulatively.

#5 Evgeni Malkin. No other player other than Crosby or Ovechkin has single-handedly looked as dominant on many nights as this guy has been. Is he still at that level right now? No, probably not, but . . . for the time period, definitely has to be in the top 7, no question.

#6 Nick Lidstrom. Must give credit where credit is due, and this is the only d-man that makes my list. He is a point machine, great defensively, runs the power play, he does it all . . . and without having to be too physical, which has made him extremely durable into his twilight years.

Extremely difficult cuts I have no problem with you giving me heck for leaving off: Joe Thornton, Pavel Datsyuk, Steve Stamkos, Shea Weber, Marty St. Louis, Chris Pronger. Thornton and Stamkos in particular were both in my top 7 at first, but upon closer inspection, I had to bump them down.

Just curious, does anyone have a list of the top scorers since the lockout? I had a look but all i could find were lists up until the 09/10 season & don't really feel like adding last years stats on myself

A guy like Stamkos has been brilliant the past couple of seaons...but i didn't really give him much consideration as i was going more for the entire 7 seasons since the lockout...where as Stamkos for example wasn't even in the NHL in 05/06, 06/07, or 07/08...and wasn't a star in his first season 08/09. It wasn't until 2009/10 that Stamkos really became a star player.

I have to give an honorable mention to Jaromir Jagr as well. Obviously he hasn't played enough in the NHL post lockout to be on this list...but his 2005/06 season in which he put up 54 goals & 123 points was one of the most dominant seasons i've seen in recent memory.

Edited by - ryan93 on 12/01/2011 20:14:55

Guest2388 ( )

Posted - 12/01/2011 : 09:46:40

Crosby, ovechkin, lundqvist, toews, kieth, fleury, sedin

Guest7116 ( )

Posted - 12/01/2011 : 11:06:58

Malkin easily HAS to be top 5... guy is a difference maker night in and night out

#1 Sidney Crosby although I hate this guy the stats don't lie.#2 Alex Ovechkin It's rather him or Crosby #3 Steven Stamkos This guy was a talent from the start#4 Joe Sakic Has anyone remebered this guy?#5 Mats Sundin I hated him most of his career when he went to Vancouer for half a season his talent really stood out 4 me.#6 Egvini Malkin Crosby's right hand man.#7 Daniel/Henrik Sedin They're both equally talented but Daniel has my favor because he is the scorer.

2. Datsyuk - Not only puts up points, but wins Selke's as well. Just so good at both ends of the ice.

3. OV - Would have been 2 if not for his off year last year and his slow start this year

4. Lidstrom - Would rather the question was forwards only, but as is, he has to be on any list! 4 Norris trophy's since the lockout? And someone put Keith ahead of him???

5. Thornton - Unbelievably consistent! I'm sure if this guy had even 1 cup ring, he'd be top 3 on most lists!!!

6. Malkin - Couple not so good years, but a couple stellar ones

7. Sedin(s) - Take your pick. Both extremely consistent.

Guys i didn't include, some of whom have been mentioned:Sakic - Best years were pre lock out.St. Louis - Could easily be on this list.Stamkos - Too early in his career, hasn't played enough to make my listIggy - If only he had some better teams to work with, he'd prob be in my top 5 with how good his numbers would have been Still incredibly consistent!

Just to clarify, I meant which players have performed the best over the period since the beginning of the 2006-2007 season. I did not intend for greats like Sakic and Jagr to be on this list even though they played a bit in that period.